Raynaud's disease
| Raynaud syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Raynaud's disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, Raynaud's syndrome |
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| A hand with pale fingers due to Raynaud's | |
| Pronunciation |
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| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Rheumatology |
| ICD-10 | I73.0 |
| ICD-9-CM | 443.0 |
| OMIM | 179600 |
| DiseasesDB | 25933 |
| MedlinePlus | 000412 |
| eMedicine | med/1993 |
| Patient UK | Raynaud syndrome |
| MeSH | D011928 |
Raynaud syndrome, also known as Raynaud's, is a medical condition in which spasm of arteries cause episodes of reduced blood flow. Typically the fingers, and less commonly the toes, are involved. Rarely, the nose, ears, or lips are affected. The episodes result in the affected part turning white and then blue. Often there is numbness or pain. As blood flow returns, the area turns red and burns. The episodes typically last minutes but can last up to several hours.
Episodes are often triggered by cold or emotional stress. There are two main types: primary Raynaud's when the cause is unknown and secondary Raynaud's which occurs as a result of another condition. Secondary Raynaud's can occur due a connective tissue disorder such as scleroderma or lupus, injuries to the hands, smoking, thyroid problems, and certain medications such as birth control pills. Diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms.
The primary treatment is avoiding the cold. Other measures include the discontinuation of nicotine or stimulants use. Medications for treatment of cases that do not improve include calcium channel blockers and iloprost. Little evidence supports alternative medicine. Severe disease may rarely be complicated by skin sores or gangrene.
About 4% of people have the condition. Onset of the primary form is typically between ages 15 and 30 and occurs more frequently in females. The secondary form usually affects older people. Both forms are more common in cold climates. It is named after French physician Maurice Raynaud who described the condition in 1862.
The condition can cause pain within the affected extremities, discoloration (paleness), and sensations of cold and/or numbness. This can often be distressing to those who are not diagnosed, and sometimes it can be obstructive. If someone with Raynaud's is placed into a cold climate, it could potentially become dangerous.
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